If you’ve been following along with my military sergeant loadout for the Tactical Games in Iowa. Then you already know we’ve covered a lot in Part I and Part II – from firearms and optics to ammo, holsters, and mag pouches. And, just as important, we explored the “why” behind each choice. Today in Part III, we’re diving into the often-overlooked details: plate carrier, clothing, and battle belt. These might seem like minor gear choices, but in a sport where every rep, second, and ounce of energy matters, the small things can make a big difference. For example, having a properly fitted plate carrier can make lifting a 150-pound sandbag over a yoke feel a whole lot more manageable. Let’s jump into this week’s loadout breakdown!
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Herein, all of the information provided is the opinion of the author through his personal experiences in The Tactical Games, as well as his background leading up to the event. The gear and tactics suggested ahead are a way, but not the only way. Take it with a grain of salt.
The Tactical Games Loadout – Plate Carrier
After years of competing in CrossFit, I had one trusty piece of gear I knew I could count on—my 5.11 Tactical TacTec Plate Carrier. It was my go-to simply because I already owned it. Let’s be honest—plate carriers aren’t cheap, and I wasn’t trying to drop another couple hundred bucks before my first Tactical Games.
That said, I’ll admit the 5.11 TacTec was an okay choice. It got the job done during the stages, but it wasn’t the most comfortable option out there. It sits a little low, and I struggled to dial in the fit and cinch it tight to my body. All plate carriers bounce a bit when you’re moving, but this one had noticeably more bounce, especially while running.
The Tactical Games requires plate carriers to meet minimum weight standards: 15 pounds for men and 12 pounds for women. Your setup gets weighed at check-in, and if you’re light, you’ll need to add weight on the spot.
There are lots of ways to meet the weight requirement, but the easiest (and most comfortable) is using the right plates for the job. Most people think “hard plates”—but those are either too light or way too heavy. Enter Jacked Rabbit Plates: flexible, soft training plates that make a huge difference.
Whether you’re running or tossing sandbags, Jacked Rabbit plates move with your body, making it easier to breathe and stay mobile. No, they won’t stop a bullet—but they’ll definitely save your lungs and shoulders during competition.
Why Jacked Rabbit?
“Our rugged yet flexible plates were created to solve the needs of the tactical athlete. Unlike standard steel trainer plates, our weighted inserts are filled with steel shot, allowing them to form and flex with the athlete—without the bulk of traditional sand plates.”
The Tactical Games Loadout – Clothes
When it came to clothes, comfort and a full range of motion were top priorities for me. One thing I knew for sure—I wasn’t going to compete in shorts. I can’t stand the feeling of being sweaty and then getting dirt and mud all over my legs. It’s a combo I just don’t enjoy. That’s why I went with pants—even in the heat.
I chose the Born Primitive Frontier Pant Light 2.0. They’re durable, lightweight, stretchy, and come with built-in vents. I could hit deep squats without feeling restricted or worrying about them ripping. And when the temperature climbed, the vent zips were a lifesaver for airflow. I had zero issues with these pants throughout the weekend.
For shirts, I kept it simple—just regular t-shirts under my plate carrier. Nothing fancy here. I would recommend bringing a pair of shorts, though. There are usually 1–2 fitness-only events in a Tactical Games competition. Ours included a mile-and-a-half run and the Ranger ACFT. Having shorts for those made a big difference. I ran both events in RSVLT Athletic Shorts with built-in liners—comfortable and functional.
For footwear, I followed advice from the Tactical Games Athlete Facebook group and brought two pairs of shoes: one waterproof and one with an aggressive tread. The group’s go-to recommendations were the Salomon XA Pro 3D Gore-Tex Trail Runner and the TYR Men’s CXT-1 Turf Trainer. I’m glad I listened. Finally, for socks, I ran with the 5.11 Tactical Duty Ready Plus OTC Socks—the same ones I used during my time in law enforcement. They’ve never let me down. No blisters, no bunching—just reliable performance.
The Tactical Games Loadout – Battle Belt
I ran a battle belt setup with both an inner and outer belt, and I really liked the combo—it felt much more secure overall. One of my favorite parts was being able to peel off the outer belt after a stage. That little bit of comfort between events goes a long way when you’re trying to recover.
My outer belt was from Javelin Concepts (sadly, they don’t make it anymore). I actually snagged it from The Tactical Games Gear Facebook group, which helped me save some money. My inner belt was the Blue Alpha Inner Belt—a solid piece of kit. It keeps its shape well and cinches tight without any hassle.
Overall, the battle belt setup was the right call for me. It was easy to throw on and take off, felt secure during movement, and didn’t get in the way when squatting or slinging sandbags. The weight wasn’t an issue either, which was a nice bonus.
The Tactical Games Loadout – Final Thoughts
Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t blow my budget chasing the flashiest setup. My mid-tier gear did exactly what I needed it to: it held up, stayed functional, and let me focus on performing—not fiddling with my kit. The Tactical Games are demanding enough without having to battle your equipment. If you’re gearing up, focus on reliability over hype—you’ll thank yourself later.
Every piece of gear I ran at The Tactical Games was self-funded and chosen with intention. From my ammo to my pouches, I trusted my setup—and it held up under pressure. Gear only takes you so far, though. The real test came on the course. In my next post, I’ll break down the full experience: the highs, the lessons, and what I’d do differently next time. You won’t want to miss it. Drop a comment if you’ve got gear questions or want to share your own loadout!
Photos provided by Rosie’s Lens & The Tactical Games Media Group
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